A visit to the Jurassic Coast would simply not be complete without a stint of fossil hunting. And if you’re staying with us, you’re at the epicentre of where it all happens!
The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site lying along the English Channel coast of southern England and it stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, a distance of about 96 miles. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in December 2001 and since then, has documented the history of the earth over 185 million years.
And we are so proud to be at the gateway to this incredible place of history.
It’s for this very reason that many visitors to Dorset enjoy exploring the coast on foot, by boat, by bike or by car to take in the splendour that is the magnificent coastline.
But one of the favourite things to do is to hunt for fossils. So, to help you on your search – we’ve put together a few ideas of where to get started.
The Jurassic Coast Trust is the independent charity responsible for managing the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Their vision is that everyone loves, understands and values the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Their mission is to enable everyone to have the best possible experience of the Jurassic Coast, whether they want to learn, enjoy, work or study. Promoting responsible exploring, the Jurassic Coast Trust offers a wealth of information about where to get started, how to find fossils, and the best places to safely explore your inner palaeontologist.
If you’re looking for someone to show you the ropes, then the Jurassic Coast boasts a huge variety of guides that can take you to the best spots. The Jurassic Coast Guide team is just one such example. Having won numerous wonderful tourism awards for the work that they do, Martin (the chap that heads it all up), has put together wonderful walks and experiences that can be tailored to your needs and ability. Whether you feel like a slow-paced amble along the pebbles, or you’re a little more adventurous – all walks and tours are guided by a qualified, experienced and fully insured Mountain Leader.
If you fancy taking things at your own pace, then you have a number of options available to you. From Charmouth Beach to Lyme Regis, visitors to the Jurassic Coast have so many options when they want to find their next ammonite. Lyme Regis, of course, is commonly known as “Fossil-hunting Central”, home to fossil shops, museums and where even lampposts are sculptured into ammonites.
For more information about things to do in Dorset, make sure you visit the official tourism website for Dorset, Visit Dorset.
